Models of the Church (Image Classics)

This book was referenced by Systematic Theology: Roman Catholic Perspectives (Theology and the Sciences) and I am glad that I purchased the Kindle version and read it. As a lay minister in a Protestant denomination, I wished I had known about this resource when I was attending school. This is because my denomination concentrated only on its own polity when training lay and diaconal ministers. There was not a specific class covering the five models presented in this book. This issue recently came up again as I contemplated ministering in a denomination with congregational polity versus episcopal. I didn't want to spend a lot of time in a class on congregationalism and this resource met my needs as this form of government is covered under Church as Herald.However, the only criticism I have of the book does not diminish its excellency for classroom use. Even though the author does bring out the fact that the original issues which resulted in separated churches are no longer at the forefront, the current issues at the forefront are causing further division within denominations. To be sure there are other communions are inclusive of various expressions of the church, I found the author to be too hopeful of a future unification around any of the models.Otherwise, the book presents a fair amount of reality regarding each model as far as the diversity of use by theologians and the difficulty of harmonizing into a single model. On a positive note, the author empowers his readers to pick and choose based on each models merits. Some of those readers will undoubtedly be future congregational leaders or theologians.

Cardinal Dulles' thesis is thought provoking and illuminating. If you're wondering why there is so much division within the Church, this book explains, in a way, the tensions of competing visions of what the Church is suppose to be whether it's merely a society, a mystical body, a sacrament, a proclamation, or a servant.

The book itself is great, but it didn’t match the picture shown and wasn’t in the best shape

This 1976 book by the late theologian Cardinal Avery Dulles SJ was a landmark in Catholic ecclesiology. Presenting several "models" or ways of looking at the Christian Church, it expands our way of thinking beyond the institutional model (the external Church in its visible) structure common in Catholicism before the Second Vatican Council. Some of the models Dulles introduces here are popular in Protestant as well as Catholic circles, reflecting the Jesuit cardinal's desire to find truth in sources even beyond Catholicism. Dulles, elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II and visited by Pope Benedict XVI in New York shortly before his December 2008 death, exhibits here his trademark elegant writing style here. Within his sizable output, this book remains the most brilliant and creative of Dulles's many contributions to post-conciliar Catholic theology. It remains a must-read in Catholic ecclesiology today.

I read this book years ago when it first came out. Now reading it again at an older age, I find itto be excellent. I would recommend it to any Christian, Protestant or Catholic. Avery Dulles, a learnedand objective theologian, who writes with beautiful clarity and comprehensiveness, presents five models of the Church, showing their values & limitations. He then evaluates & applies the models to various critical issues, like ministry, ecumenism etc. I found it to be a hopeful book regarding the possibility of overcomingthe divisions among the churches. Not an easy read for those without some theological expertise, but well worth the effort.

I Use this for teaching models of the church.

I received this book for a class I am taking as I finish up my Bachelor's Degree in Christian Ministry. I'm enjoying reading it. I will say that unless you enjoy studying theology, I wouldn't recommend purchasing this book, because it can seem overwhelming if you are just getting started.

The book, though a little dated, is still a classic when it comes to giving the reader an idea of just what makes up the Catholic Church and how they can differ in many ways but still remain true to the Spirit.I recommend this to any person who wants to take a serious look at what the Church is and what part they have. It can deepen their faith and make these changes more clear and acceptable. Models of the Church - A Critical Assessment of the Church in all its aspects

Dulles' book is one I will probably return to again and again. His move away from a single model of church as a way to define what the church is, to the use of several models, each of which contributes to our understanding of what church is, or may be, assists those who study ecclesiology from an academic point of view. It could be argued that this work paved the way for later theologians who sought to use "the church as she is" as a model and a tool for a better understanding of the church. Nicholas Healy with his practical-prophetic ecclesiology comments on theologians' use of models and abstract ways of thinking about church in his 2000 book, Church, World and the Christial Life..

Love this book, although a little dated. A recently Ordained Priest loaned me a copy and I determined to get my own copy. Used, but perfectly usable and is now on my bookshelf in pride of place.

A classic but not a jolly book. Does the job.

Can be a hard read but makes the pionts needed to compose an essay. I will have to read some chapters again i think.

A useful book for the study I am doing